Australia: Former police chief commissioner Christine Nixon has stepped down from the Foster’s Group board.

A statement from the company said: “Christine Nixon has informed the Board of Foster’s Group Limited (Foster’s) of her intention to resign as a non-executive director with effect from 31 August 2010.”

Nixon took the post in April 2010. After a career in the NSW and Victorian Police force, Nixon became Victoria's first female chief commissioner, leading a team of 14,000 staff and managing a $1.7 billion budget for eight years before her retirement in February 2009.

The statement concluded: “Directors wish to sincerely thank her for her contribution over recent months.”

Nixon issued this statement: “The recent months have been personally a very difficult time. “After 39 years in the Public Service, I think it is an appropriate time to rethink my priorities. “I intend to continue to my teaching and mentoring work and contributing in a volunteer role to the Bushfire recovery effort and Authority.”